By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Volunteer I just returned from a long morning walk.  The air was fresh, the temperature cool, the winds calm, the skies Colorado blue and the open field full of wildflowers in bloom.  I passed other walkers, several with their dogs.  The pets were on leash, and their owners were using bags to “pick up after” them. Unfortunately, also on my path was poop that had not been picked up, and walkers and bikers whose dogs were not leashed, one of whom bounded toward me ignoring his owner’s calls.......

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By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Volunteer As summer emerges and temperatures rise, the number of dogs and cats arriving at animal shelters increases which is exactly what our Ark-Valley Humane Society is experiencing.  They are seeing more animals every week and could use your help. They ask you to open your heart and home and become part of their foster program. It will make your summer more fun and make you feel good by enriching the life of a deserving animal. Fostering is vital temporary home care for animals in need.  It helps......

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By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Volunteer Spring is blooming, summer adventures are calling and our Ark-Valley Humane Society (AVHS) is excited to be opening up its volunteer program again. It is such a rewarding, heart-warming and fun experience to volunteer at AVHS.  Seeing dog tails wag and hearing cats purr will lift your spirits and make your soul smile. The caring and friendly staff are appreciative of any and all help, and there are so many opportunities to assist them and make a difference for these wonderfully deserving shelter animals. You can walk......

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By: Judy Lore, AVHS Volunteer The topic of dog collars might not sound particularly interesting, but if you dig into the history of dog collars you can read some fascinating information about our relationship to canines and human history.  Collars to control dogs or in some cases to advertise the owners’ wealth and status have been part of history since ancient times. Chipping dogs and other animals is relatively new, as it began in the 1980s. Why write about dog collars and chipping our pets? I am alarmed each time a dog......

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By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Volunteer As the days become warmer, it is heart-warming to see children and their dogs outside having fun, enjoying the “magic” of life.  Dogs and children can be best friends, enriching each other’s lives physically, emotionally and socially, but both need to be taught how to behave together. Children get so excited about a dog, they want to run, scream, chase and hug this wonderful furry friend.  They need to learn that such enthusiasm could frighten a dog, causing unwanted and unpleasant behavior. A few basic lessons about......

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By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Volunteer I was fortunate to have a wonderful childhood, but it became even richer when at age 6, a border collie pup I named Tammy came into my life.  She and I grew up together playing, laughing and cuddling.  She made me feel happy, secure and loved.  She taught me responsibility and compassion.  She was my best buddy. Such is the beauty of a dog in a child’s life.  Research shows the benefits are numerous. Dogs provide constant companionship through the ups and downs of children’s lives.  They......

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By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Volunteer It is entertaining to watch cats play.  They stalk, chase, pounce, roll, bat and with graceful agility leap to amazing heights.  They seem to be happily lost in their own natural world of adventure. This activity is fun for us and healthy for our purring family members. Cats are highly intelligent, naturally curious, active creatures.  It is the responsibility of cat owners to provide their “kitties” with ample physical exercise and mental stimulation, joining in at times to strengthen the human – cat bond. A few guidelines......

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By: Judy Lore, AVHS Volunteer I chose to begin with a local rescue story. Many of you know that George Blake of Salida enjoyed his 100th birthday on January 29th of this year. Many may not know that George has always had a fondness for boxers. Boxers have a sweet way about them and George has had five dogs as an adult with four Boxers and one Australian Cattle Dog. All of them have been rescues and found a forever home with George. His latest is Shelby who had been returned a......

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By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Volunteer Dogs are mans’ best friends.  Their love is unconditional, their loyalty is unquestionable and their sense of smell is unthinkably rich and amazing. A dog’s sense of smell is so sensitive that when he smells another dog, he can determine that dog’s gender, health, disposition, where the dog has been and what he has eaten. A dog can sniff a tree and know what other animals are in the neighborhood.  Smelling a human’s pant leg can tell him where that person lives and if he has dogs.......

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By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Volunteer We go for a walk and take in our beautiful mountain surroundings.  Our dog focuses on the ground and it’s smells. We get home and smell chili cooking in the slow cooker.  Our dog smells meat, tomatoes, onions, peppers and spices, each separate ingredient. How we humans take in the world through the sense of smell differs greatly from that of our furry friends. The canine nose is far more powerful than ours. Depending on the breed, dogs have up 100 million or more scent receptors in......

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